Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Akebiae Fructus |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 预知子 · Yu Zhi Zi |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Qi-regulating |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried ripe fruit of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz., or Akebia trifoliata var. australis (Diels) Rehd. (Lardizabalaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, Bladder |
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What Is Yu Zhi Zi?
Yu Zhi Zi (Akebia Fruit) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Sichuan.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter; Cold
Channels Entered: Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, Bladder
Yu Zhi Zi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Akebiae Fructus
Botanical Origin
The dried ripe fruit of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz., or Akebia trifoliata var. australis (Diels) Rehd. (Lardizabalaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, full, yellowish-brown, and free of mold.
Macroscopic Features
Kidney-shaped or long-elliptical fruit, 3~9cm long; externally yellowish-brown to brown, slightly longitudinally wrinkled; seeds many, reddish-brown, slightly bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter; ColdLiverGallbladderStomachBladder
Traditional Functions
Soothes the liver, moves qi, dissipates nodules, and promotes urination. Apply to liver-qi constraint with rib-side pain, nodules, and inhibited urination.
How Yu Zhi Zi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Yu Zhi Zi is classified among the Qi-regulating herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yu Zhi Zi? Are akebia stem and bupleurum the same?
Official Yu Zhi Zi (预知子) is the dried nearly ripe fruit of Akebia quinata, A. trifoliata or A. trifoliata var. australis. The pharmacopoeial name is Akebiae Fructus, also called Ba Yue Zha. Akebia stem is bitter-cold: promotes urination, frees lin, clears the Heart and removes vexation. Bupleurum is bitter-acrid and slightly cold: harmonizes the lesser yang, soothes the Liver and raises yang. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Yu Zhi Zi. Use caution in pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yu Zhi Zi?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yu Zhi Zi is bitter and cold, enters the Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach and Bladder channels, and acts to soothe the Liver and regulate qi, move Blood and stop pain, disperse nodules and promote urination. It is used for epigastric and hypochondriac distending pain, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, phlegm kernels and lumps, and inhibited urination. Bitter and cold, it suits Liver depression with qi stagnation—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, or absence of stasis.
How do you choose raw versus prepared fruit? Can akebia stem replace it?
Raw fruit is stronger for soothing the Liver and moving Blood. Akebia stem leans to promoting urination and freeing lin; it cannot replace dispersing nodules by equal weight. Commercial akebia-fruit tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Yu Zhi Zi
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Yu Zhi Zi.
Read the Yu Zhi Zi Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
